Theodicy (Noun)
Meaning
The branch of theology that defends God's goodness and justice in the face of the existence of evil.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The philosopher's attempt at theodicy was met with skepticism by many who struggled to reconcile the concept of an all-powerful, benevolent deity with the existence of evil in the world.
- The theologian's book on theodicy argued that human free will was the root cause of suffering and that God's justice was not incompatible with the presence of evil.
- In his lecture, the professor outlined various approaches to theodicy, from the Augustinian view of original sin to the Irenaean theodicy, which emphasizes human spiritual growth.
- The question of how to resolve the problem of evil remains a central concern in theodicy, with different scholars proposing various solutions over the centuries.
- Critics of theodicy argue that no adequate explanation can justify the immense suffering that occurs in the world, and that such attempts to defend God's justice often seem insensitive to human pain.